USDA Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) Program – FY 2027 Funding Overview

Program Overview

The USDA Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) Program provides funding to help U.S. specialty crop industries overcome sanitary, phytosanitary, and technical barriers that restrict access to international markets.

Administered by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), the program supports projects designed to remove, resolve, or mitigate trade barriers that threaten exports of U.S. specialty crops.

Unlike traditional export promotion programs, TASC focuses specifically on addressing technical and regulatory issues that can limit market access for entire specialty crop industries.

Why the TASC Program Matters

International agricultural markets increasingly rely on technical standards, sanitary requirements, and phytosanitary regulations that can affect the ability of U.S. producers to compete globally.

Even when strong market demand exists, export opportunities may be limited by regulatory requirements, import restrictions, pest concerns, inspection protocols, or other technical barriers.

The TASC program helps specialty crop industries address these challenges by supporting projects that improve market access and strengthen long-term export competitiveness.

Eligible Commodities

The TASC program is limited to U.S. specialty crops.

For purposes of the program, specialty crops generally include most cultivated plants and plant products produced in the United States, excluding:

• Wheat
• Feed grains
• Oilseeds
• Cotton
• Rice
• Peanuts
• Sugar
• Tobacco

Applications may address one or multiple specialty crop industries.

Eligible Activities

To be considered for funding, projects must:

• Identify an existing or potential sanitary, phytosanitary, or technical barrier
• Demonstrate how proposed activities will remove, resolve, or mitigate that barrier
• Provide benefits to an entire industry rather than a single company or brand

Projects may target individual countries or regional groups of countries where market access barriers exist.

Cost Share Requirements

Cost share is required for most applicants.

• Federal, State, and Local Government agencies are exempt
• All other applicants must provide at least 10% cost share

Cost share may consist of cash contributions or eligible in-kind support.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include:

• Federal, State, and Local Government agencies
• Nonprofit trade associations
• Universities
• Agricultural cooperatives
• State Regional Trade Groups
• Private companies

Foreign organizations may participate as subrecipients or partners but cannot serve as the primary funding recipient.

Funding Details

• Funding Available: Approximately $9 million
• Tranche I Deadline: August 14, 2026
• Tranche II Deadline: December 31, 2026
• Tranche III Deadline: March 31, 2027
• Tranche IV Deadline: June 30, 2027

How LEC Partners Supports Agricultural Market Development

Organizations pursuing export market opportunities often face challenges related to regulatory compliance, technical trade requirements, market access strategy, and value chain development.

LEC Partners supports agricultural, bioeconomy, and industrial organizations with implementation-focused technical and commercial advisory services.

• Market access assessments
• Trade and regulatory analysis
• Commercial due diligence
• Supply chain evaluations
• Market development strategy
• Project planning and implementation support

Our multidisciplinary network helps organizations identify opportunities, reduce risk, and support long-term growth in domestic and international markets.

Questions We Often Get About USDA TASC Funding